The U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce (USMCOC) held its XVIII U.S.-Mexico Congressional Border Issues and NAFTA/ USMCA Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 26, 2019.
The nearly 100 individuals who attended the 18th conference were able to engage in informative and productive discussions with guest speakers on border security, border development and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The first panel was an open conversation on border security, with panelist Bradley F. Hayes from U.S. Customs
& Border Protection; Natalia Campillo, from Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), Mexico; and David Aguilar, principal at Global Security & Innovative Strategies. The panel was moderated by José Zozaya, president and executive representative with Kansas City Southern de México and chairman of the USMCOC binational board.
The following panel included presentations by Davin Lopez, from Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance; Paola Avila, representing the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Luis Ramirez, president of Ramirez Advisors Inter-National. Each shared their experiences with successful policies and projects that were implemented in collaboration between U.S. and Mexican agencies. Examples of the successes they cited were trans-boundary sewage pollution, ports of entry infrastructure improvements, workforce training, co-production of manufacturing, business development and expansion.
The keynote presentation was delivered by U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (NM-2), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, who emphasized collaboration as the best strategy to foster economic development in the border region.
During the final panel, speakers provided a wide range of experiences and perspectives on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Featured were Marvin Hildebrand, economic minister with the Embassy of Canada in the U.S.; Gary H. Baise general counsel for the U.S. Grains Council; Steve Lande from Manchester Trade Limited, Inc.; and Ambassador Juan Sosa, Consul General of Panama in Houston, Texas.
At the end of the conference, the Chamber hosted a reception in honor of Martha Bárcena Coqui, appointed Ambassador of Mexico to the U.S. by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in January of this year. Also attending were David MacNaughton, Ambassador of Canada to the U.S., and Gen. Albert Zapanta, president of the USMCOC, who warmly welcomed Ambassador Bárcena to Washington.
The conference and reception took place at the Verizon Technology and Policy Center in Washington, D.C., with support from Verizon Communications Inc., a binational member of the Chamber.
PHOTO 1
Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small, member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.PHOTO 2
Amb. Juan Sosa discusses the prospective impact of the USMCA in the Americas. To his right, Marvin Hildebrand, Gary H. Baise and Steve Lande.PHOTO 3
Luis Ramirez during his presentation on border development. To his right, Albert Zapanta and Davin Lopez.PHOTO 4
Members of the border security, José Zozaya, Bradley F. Hayes, Natalia Briseño Campillo and David Aguilar.PHOTO 5
Ambassador of Canada to the U.S., David MacNaughton; Ambassador of Mexico to the U.S., Martha Bárcena Coqui, with Albert Zapanta, president of the USMCOC.
